Exclusive: Alex Carter returns to 'Hollyoaks'

Former Emmerdale actor Alex Carter will return to Hollyoaks later this year, Digital Spy can exclusively reveal.

The 27-year-old recently signed a six-month contract with the soap under new producer Paul Marquess, who recently axed a number of current cast members including the Ashworths.

Last month, Carter announced his decision to step down from his role as Emmerdale postman Jamie Hope after four years.

It has since emerged that Carter had been in talks with Marquess to make a comeback to the teen serial as Lee Hunter, a character he portrayed between 2001 and 2005.

A show source this morning told DS: "It's no secret that Hollyoaks isn't on top form but Paul's decision to bring Alex back into the fold shows that he's committed to taking it back to its best. He wasn't really used at Emmerdale but that'll change here."

They added: "Everyone's really excited about what Paul has planned - it really is the dawn of a new era."

Carter is due to begin filming within the next few months and will make his screen reappearance around June.